About 30% of MPs and MLAs face serious criminal cases in India

An analysis of MPs and MLAs across India shows that 31% of MPs and 29% of MLAs have declared serious criminal charges against them. As the analysis was conducted immediately after the most recent parliamentary elections, and Assembly elections in each State, it does not reflect some of the current set of MPs and MLAs.

A serious criminal charge includes offences where the maximum punishment is five years or more, or those that are non-bailable.

In the Lok Sabha, the share of MPs facing serious criminal cases has more than doubled, from 14% in 2009 to 31% in 2024 as shown in the chart below. In the Assemblies, the share was 29% in 2024, which accounts for more than 1,200 MLAs.

Telangana had the highest share of MPs with serious criminal cases (71%), followed by Bihar (48%). Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest absolute number at 34, as seen in the chart below.

The chart above shows state-wise MPs with serious criminal cases. The farther to the right, the higher the % share of such MPs; the bigger and darker the circle, the higher the number of such MPs

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had the highest absolute number of MPs facing serious cases (63 members or 26% of its total). The Congress followed with 32 MPs (32%). Among smaller parties, the proportions were higher: all four MPs of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had serious cases against them as seen in the chart below.

The chart above shows party-wise MPs with serious criminal cases. The farther to the right, the higher the % share of such MPs; the bigger and darker the circle, the higher the number of such MPs

Andhra Pradesh had the highest share of MLAs with serious criminal cases at 56%, followed by Telangana (50%). U.P. recorded the highest absolute number (154 MLAs or 38% of its total) as seen in the chart below.

The chart above shows state-wise MLAs with serious criminal cases. The farther to the right, the higher the % share of such MLAs; the bigger and darker the circle, the higher the number of such MLAs

While 61% of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)’s MLAs faced serious cases, 62% of the RJD’s did. The BJP, which has the largest presence in Assemblies, accounted for 436 MLAs (26%) with serious cases, followed by the Congress (194 MLAs; 30%) as seen in the chart below.

The chart above shows party-wise MLAs with serious criminal cases. The farther to the right, the higher the % share of such MLAs; the bigger and darker the circle, the higher the number of such MLAs